Excellent illumination. Of course this is one of the pivotal episodes. Jane had to choose. Chose. Then had to face the fact that his drive for revenge was not absolute, after all. A terrible-wonderful discovery.

Interesting insights as always, but even those can't leaven this episode. Somehow, it remains flat for me. Your last point is, of course, revealing. Jane wishes her the salvation he found - a family (or possibly two for Jane - first Angela and Charlotte, and then the SCU).

These are always good but the last section of this one - just beautiful.

Excellent elaboration, subtext. Thanks for making explicit what is often just a vague sense of the undercurrents.

P.S.: I very much appreciate that you believed Jane did indeed get Lisbon's present before being embarrassed by not having one at her office birthday party. That was my assumption, but I never could decide if I was just indulging in easy sentiment.

For me, this is a particularly good one though I enjoy them all.

Hmm. Some interesting perspectives on the episode. I hadn't thought about Royston Daniels being a variety of con man. The thoughts you attribute to Jane would be very much in character using that notion as a spring board. Thanks (as usual).

I like this.

I did love that Cho punctured Jane's rhapsodizing about the fossil by ID'ing it as a goat turd. Your comments on the trust fall were interesting. And I hadn't seen such a strong parallel between Lee Skelling's acts and situation and Jane's. Interesting. Thanks.

Lovely chapter, enjoying these little moments from the episodes immensely.

As usual, enriching subtext. This IS one of my favorites and still you have added to it. Thanks.

This isn't a favorite episode, but your subtext makes me want to watch it again. There's apparently more there than I thought. Thanks.

Particularly like your subtext on the first and last quotations. Hadn't thought about it, but you're right. Lisbon's confidence in her own competence and dedication to solving crimes enables her to use Jane's anything-but-by-the-book talents. As for the last, how could Jane be thinking of anything other than what he lost? The despicable, uncaring husband and the foolish, unthinking Paul Fricke taunt him with what they willingly throw away when Jane would give everything to reverse his fate. Thanks.

Not my favorite episode, but some interesting perspectives on how Jane might view things.

I am so enjoying this. I find each time I rewatch a show I see different things and have a different twist on how I think. I hope that you will continue and that folks who watch the DVDs will continue to share their insights and muses long after the show ends officially.

Interesting insights about how Jane might have perceived this opportunity and his own mistakes. The episode IS a favorite in slamming Jane face first into a brick wall. The supremely self-confident mentalist begins to appreciate how difficult his vow of revenge will be. Jane's dawning appreciation for how much of a difference the team's support makes is also a milestone. Appreciate putting to words fleeting feelings while watching the episode. Thanks.

Minor suggestion. "Dr. Joe in New Hampshire" might make more sense as the anagram if you quoted it as "Dr. Joe in NH."